Nov 11 2009
Mutually Beneficial for Citizens and City, Eco-Friendly Wood-Alternative Lumber Provides Low Maintenance and Good Looks to Historic Ventura Boulevard, Even after Devastating Flood
When landscape architects from the Bureau of Street Services at the City of Los Angeles recently received funding to renovate the median along Ventura Boulevard, they were tasked with selecting a fencing material that would not only beautify, but also withstand weathering and be free of future maintenance costs. Providing the required benefits and more, LifeTime Lumber (http://www.lifetimelumber.com) was chosen as an integral component of a highly anticipated project with the goal to increase safety and preserve a haven of native species oaks.
In a commercial and residential mixed-use suburban community, the Ventura Boulevard median is cherished by residents as a much needed green space. Underdeveloped and long overlooked, the community saw the potential of the oak-filled median as a place to relax, stroll and escape the fast pace of the city.
To achieve this potential, the Studio Oaks Steering Committee, comprised of local residents, identified the need for a barrier that would discourage cars and trucks from parking on the median, damaging the roots of the historic oaks and other flora growing on the median. In addition to protection and preservation of the habitat, a rustic walking path for the community was also high on the list of requested improvements to encourage walking and enjoyment by local citizens.
Upon being granted funding, the City of Los Angeles started specifying the project. In the process, they received a recommendation from another landscape architect in the city who had successfully used LifeTime Lumber on a recent project. On the basis of that recommendation and other considerations, the city purchased 1,700 feet of LifeTime Lumber in 2”x 6”, 2”x 6”x 5” and 2”x 6”x 16” profiles and decorative post-caps, all in Sage green. The resulting fence now stretches along three long islands on the southern side of the historic oak-filled median, deterring vehicles from parking and increasing pedestrian safety, while at the same time contributing to a polished, aesthetically pleasing boulevard border.
“Low maintenance and good looks were the primary qualities we needed in a fencing product, as city projects often lack funding for upkeep,” said Robert Gutierrez, landscape architect for the City of Los Angeles and project supervisor. “In addition, LifeTime Lumber’s ability to withstand weathering long term combined with environmentally friendly attributes made it a good choice for our project.”
“It’s becoming more and more common for city planners in municipalities to discover the multiple benefits of our product via word of mouth from satisfied customers in other departments,” said Nisha Vyas, vice president of LifeTime Lumber. “The continued recommendations are a testament to the wide range of our product’s benefits and great customer service that goes the extra mile in supporting them.”
Ideal for building fences of any size, LifeTime Lumber’s versatile profiles can be used for a multitude of applications for municipal, commercial or residential use, including patio covers, privacy fencing, decks, docks, and ranch and equestrian fencing. With five vibrant colors to choose from, and strong warranty support, LifeTime Lumber is an ideal solution to projects requiring a wide range of features and benefits.
This September, LifeTime Lumber’s durability was given the ultimate test when a nearby water main fractured, releasing 15,000 gallons of water per minute onto the streets surrounding one section of the boulevard. Residences and roads throughout the area were severely damaged, but the LifeTime Lumber fence stayed fully intact and anchored in the ground. The median project’s final completion date has been slightly modified due to the disaster, but LifeTime Lumber has given the City of Los Angeles landscape architects one less thing to worry about.
Source: http://www.lifetimelumber.com/